Power tool with compact outer-rotor motor assembly

ABSTRACT

A power tool is provided including a tool housing, a brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor disposed in the tool housing, and a transmission. The motor includes a stator including a stator core having an aperture extending therethrough and stator windings, a rotor including a cylindrical rotor core supporting at least one permanent magnet around an outer surface of the stator core, a rotor shaft rotatably coupled to the rotor, and a stator mount including a radial member near a front end of the stator and an axial member secured to the stator. The transmission is secured to the tool housing and includes an input member coupled to the rotor shaft, and an output member configured to be driven by rotation of the input member. The radial member of the stator mount is secured to the transmission to support the stator at least radially within the rotor.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/265,247 filed Dec. 10, 2021, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a power tool, such as an impact driver orimpact wrench, and a compact motor assembly for use in a power tool,such as a low-profile and compact outer-rotor brushless motor assembly.

BACKGROUND

Conventional brushless direct-current (BLDC) motors are provided with apermanent magnet rotor supported within a stator. The stator includes aring-shaped stator core, a series of stator teeth that extend radiallyinwardly from the stator core, and a series of stator windings wound invarious patterns on the stator teeth. The rotor includes a rotor corethat supports a number of magnets and is mounted on a rotor shaft. Theshaft is supported relative to the stator via one or more bearings.

Another type of BLDC motor, referred to as an outer-rotor or externalrotor motor, is provided with the rotor on the outside of the stator. Inan outer-rotor motor, the rotor magnets are provided on an outer cupthat is rotatable around a stator core. The outer cup includes a plateon one side of the stator that is secured to a rotor shaft. US PatentPublication No. 2019/0058373, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety, provides an example of an outer-rotor motor in anailer, where the outer rotor includes an integrated flywheel fordriving a driver of the nailer. Outer-rotor motors provides someperformance advantages over comparable inner-rotor motors. Namely, sincean outer rotor is by necessity larger than an inner rotor, it createshigher inertia and reduces the torque ripple effect and lower vibration.An outer rotor also provides higher magnetic flux and is also capable ofproducing more torque than a comparable inner rotor motor.

Power tools such as impact drivers and impact wrenches may be used fordriving threaded fasteners into workpieces. Such power tools may lacksufficient power to drive a threaded fastener into a workpiece or may betoo large in length or girth to fit into a desired location. In suchpower tools, it is desirable to reduce the girth and/or length of thetool, including the motor assembly and related components, withoutsacrifice power performance.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, a power tool is providedincluding a tool housing, a brushless direct-current (BLDC) motordisposed in the tool housing, and a transmission. The motor includes astator including a stator core having an aperture extending therethroughand stator windings, a rotor including a cylindrical rotor coresupporting at least one permanent magnet around an outer surface of thestator core, a rotor shaft rotatably coupled to the rotor, and a statormount including a radial member disposed proximate a front end of thestator and an axial member secured to the stator. The transmission issecured to the tool housing and includes an input member coupled to andconfigured to be rotatably driven by rotation of the rotor shaft, and anoutput member configured to be driven by rotation of the input member.The radial member of the stator mount is secured to the transmission tosupport the stator at least radially within the rotor.

In an embodiment, the rotor includes a rear wall proximate a rear end ofthe stator that is mounted on the rotor shaft, and the rotor shaftextends through the aperture of the stator to be coupled to the inputmember of the transmission.

In an embodiment, the axial member of the stator mount comprises acylindrical portion onto which the stator core is securely mounted, andthe rotor shaft extends through the cylindrical portion.

In an embodiment, the motor further includes at least one motor bearinghaving an inner race mounted on the rotor shaft and an outer racesecured within the cylindrical portion. In an embodiment, the motorbearing is radially aligned with the stator core. In an embodiment, themotor bearing is radially oriented along a radial plane located betweenthe stator core and the radial member of the stator mount.

In an embodiment, the transmission includes a transmission housinghaving a generally cylindrical body, and a planetary gear set includinga pinion or a sun gear rotatably driven by the rotor shaft, a carrier,at least one planet gear rotatably mounted to the carrier and meshedwith the pinion or the sun gear, and a ring gear supported by thetransmission housing and meshed with the at least one planet gear.

In an embodiment, the transmission comprises a rear wall located at arear end of the transmission housing, and the radial member of thestator mount is at least radially secured to the rear wall.

In an embodiment, the rear wall of the transmission includes a recessedsurface formed by an annular peripheral body sized to form-fittinglyreceive the radial member of the stator mount therein.

In an embodiment, the radial member of the stator mount is rotationallysecured to the rear wall of the transmission via at least one notch andindentation arrangement.

In an embodiment, the tool housing includes a radial wall projectingradially between the motor and the transmission assembly and engaging arear surface of the radial member of the stator mount to axially holdthe radial member in engagement with the rear wall of the transmissionassembly.

In an embodiment, a carrier bearing is provided to support the carrierrelative to the rear wall of the transmission.

In an embodiment, the rear wall of the transmission includes an annularcenter body forming a bearing holder for the carrier bearing, and theradial member of the stator mount includes an intermediary cylindricalportion forming a center recessed portion that receives the annularcenter body.

In an embodiment, a radial plane of the radial member of the statormount intersects a portion of the carrier bearing.

In an embodiment, the rear wall of the transmission includes an annularbody projecting towards the motor, and the tool includes a lock ringconfigured to axially hold the radial member of the stator mount inengagement with a rear surface of the annular body. In an embodiment,the lock ring includes a main portion having a threaded inner surfacethat is fastened onto a threaded outer surface of the annular body ofthe transmission, and a radial portion that engages and forces a rearsurface of the radial member of the stator mount against the annularbody of the transmission.

In an embodiment, the radial member of the stator mount includes tabsextending therefrom that engage the transmission housing to secure thestator mount at least radially to the transmission. In an embodiment, arear end of the transmission housing defines an opening through whichthe ring gear is received.

In an embodiment, an interior of the transmission housing includesrecessed surfaces near the rear end, and the tabs of the radial memberextend axially through the opening in engagement with the recessedsurfaces to affix the stator mount at least radially to the rear end ofthe transmission.

In an embodiment, the rear end of the transmission housing includesnotches, and the tabs of the radial member extend radially in engagementwith the notches to affix the stator mount at least rotationally to therear end of the transmission.

In an embodiment, the radial member of the stator mount and thetransmission housing mated together cooperate to substantially seal thetransmission.

In an embodiment, the transmission includes of outer protrusions on theouter surface of the transmission housing configured to engage a portionof the tool housing to rotationally fix the transmission.

In an embodiment, the tool housing includes a radial wall projectingradially between the motor and the transmission assembly and engaging arear surface of the radial member of the stator mount to axially holdthe radial member to the transmission housing.

In an embodiment, a distance between a front end of the motor and a rearend of the transmission is at smaller than or equal to 11.3 mm. In anembodiment, the motor has an outer diameter than is smaller than orequal to approximately 52 mm and produces a maximum power output of atleast 620 watts from a 20V max power tool battery pack.

According to another aspect of the invention, a power tool is providedincluding a tool housing, a brushless direct-current (BLDC) motordisposed in the tool housing, a stator mount assembly, and atransmission. The motor includes a stator including a stator core havingan aperture extending therethrough and stator windings, a rotorincluding a cylindrical rotor core supporting at least one permanentmagnet around an outer surface of the stator core, and a rotor shaftrotatably coupled to the rotor. The stator mount assembly includes astator mount including an axial member secured to the stator, and anintegrated mounting member including a radial member secured to thestator mount, a ring gear mount extending from the radial member awayfrom the motor, and a ring gear supported by the ring gear mount. Thetransmission is secured to the tool housing, and it includes atransmission housing having a generally cylindrical body, and aplanetary gear set including a carrier and at least one planet gearrotatably mounted to the carrier. The ring gear meshes with the at leastone planet gear.

In an embodiment, the rotor includes a rear wall proximate a rear end ofthe stator that is mounted on the rotor shaft, and the rotor shaftextends through the aperture of the stator to be coupled to the inputmember of the transmission.

In an embodiment, the axial member of the stator mount includes acylindrical portion onto which the stator core is securely mounted, andthe rotor shaft extends through the cylindrical portion.

In an embodiment, at least one motor bearing is provided including aninner race mounted on the rotor shaft and an outer race secured withinthe cylindrical portion.

In an embodiment, the motor bearing is radially aligned with the statorcore.

In an embodiment, the stator mount includes at least one radial arm, andthe radial member of the integrated mounting member is molded around theradial arm to secure the integrated mounting member to the stator mount.

In an embodiment, the stator mount includes at least one protrusion thatis received into a peripheral opening of the integrated mounting memberto secure the integrated mounting member at least rotationally to thestator mount.

In an embodiment, a carrier bearing is provided to support the carrierrelative to the stator mount assembly.

In an embodiment, the stator mount includes a frontal annular bodyforming a bearing holder for the carrier bearing to radially align thecarrier bearing with the radial member of the integrated mountingmember.

In an embodiment, the ring gear mount is discretely coupled to thetransmission housing.

In an embodiment, the transmission housing overlaps at least the ringgear mount of the integrated mounting member.

In an embodiment, an O-ring is disposed between the integrated mountingmember and the transmission housing to substantially seal thetransmission.

In an embodiment, the power tool includes a nosecone mounted on the toolhousing to provide an output member configured to be rotatably driven bya cam shaft coupled to the carrier, wherein the transmission housing isintegrally formed with the nosecone and extends rearwardly therefrominside the tool housing.

In an embodiment, the transmission housing is integrally coupled to thering gear mount.

In an embodiment, a distance between a front end of the motor and a rearend of the transmission is at smaller than or equal to 7.7 mm. In anembodiment, the motor has an outer diameter than is smaller than orequal to approximately 52 mm and produces a maximum power output of atleast 620 watts from a 20V max power tool battery pack.

According to another aspect of the invention, a power tool is providedincluding a tool housing, a brushless direct-current (BLDC) motordisposed in the tool housing, and a stator mount assembly. The motorincludes a stator including a stator core having an aperture extendingtherethrough and stator windings, a rotor including a cylindrical rotorcore supporting at least one permanent magnet around an outer surface ofthe stator core, and a rotor shaft rotatably coupled to the rotor. Thestator mount assembly includes a stator mount including an axial membersecured to the stator, and an integrated mounting member including aradial member secured to the stator mount and a transmission housinghaving a generally cylindrical body integrally extending from the radialmember away from the motor. The transmission housing is secured to thetool housing and houses components of a transmission, and the componentsof the transmission include a carrier, at least one planet gearrotatably mounted to the carrier, and a ring gear supported by thetransmission housing and meshed with the planet gear(s).

In an embodiment, the rotor comprises a rear wall proximate a rear endof the stator that is mounted on the rotor shaft, and the rotor shaftextends through the aperture of the stator to be coupled to the inputmember of the transmission.

In an embodiment, the axial member of the stator mount includes acylindrical portion onto which the stator core is securely mounted, andthe rotor shaft extends through the cylindrical portion.

In an embodiment, at least one motor bearing is provided including aninner race mounted on the rotor shaft and an outer race secured withinthe cylindrical portion. In an embodiment, motor bearing is radiallyaligned with the stator core.

In an embodiment, the stator mount includes at least one radial arm, andwherein the radial member of the integrated mounting member is moldedaround the radial arm to secure the integrated mounting member to thestator mount.

In an embodiment, the stator mount includes at least one protrusion thatis received into a peripheral opening of the integrated mounting memberto secure the integrated mounting member at least rotationally to thestator mount.

In an embodiment, a carrier bearing is provided to support the carrierrelative to the stator mount assembly.

In an embodiment, the stator mount includes a frontal annular bodyforming a bearing holder for the carrier bearing to radially align thecarrier bearing with the radial member of the integrated mountingmember.

In an embodiment, the power tool further includes a nosecone mounted onthe tool housing to provide an output member, where a front portion ofthe transmission housing extends out of the tool housing and is receivedwithin the nosecone.

In an embodiment, an O-ring is disposed between the front portion of thetransmission housing and the nosecone to substantially seal thetransmission assembly.

In an embodiment, a nosecone mounted on the tool housing to provide anoutput member configured to be rotatably driven by a cam shaft coupledto the carrier, where the transmission housing is integrally formed withthe nosecone and extends rearwardly therefrom inside the tool housing.

In an embodiment, the transmission housing includes at least one innerrim that engages an axial end of the ring gear to secure the ring gearwithin the transmission housing.

In an embodiment, the transmission includes outer protrusions on theouter surface of the transmission housing configured to engage a portionof the tool housing to rotationally fix the transmission.

In an embodiment, a distance between a front end of the motor and a rearend of the transmission is at most 7.7 mm. In an embodiment, the motorhas an outer diameter than is smaller than or equal to approximately 52mm and produces a maximum power output of at least 620 watts from a 20Vmax power tool battery pack.

According to another aspect of the invention, a brushless direct-current(BLDC) motor is provided including: a stator including a stator corehaving an aperture extending therethrough and a series of statorwindings; and a rotor including a rotor core having a substantiallycylindrical body, permanent magnets secured to an inner surface of therotor core, a rotor shaft extending through the stator, and an overmoldstructure. The overmold structure includes: a radially body extendingadjacent an axial end of the stator and coupled to the rotor shaft via abushing, and a peripheral body formed around an outer surface and axialend surfaces of the rotor core and structurally securing the permanentmagnets to the inner surface of the rotor core.

In an embodiment, the rotor core includes teeth axially projecting fromat least one of its axial end surfaces, and the overmold structure isformed in engagement with the teeth to rotationally fix the rotor corerelative thereto.

In an embodiment, the radial body of the overmold structure includesblades that form a fan for generating an airflow through the motor.

In an embodiment, the rotor core includes a continuous wire rod wound ina shape of a tubular body.

In an embodiment, the wire rod is welded in the shape of the tubularbody.

In an embodiment, the wire rod is held in the shape of the tubular bodyvia the overmold structure.

According to another aspect of the invention, a brushless direct-current(BLDC) motor is provided including: a stator including a stator corehaving an aperture extending therethrough and a series of statorwindings; and a rotor including permanent magnets, a rotor shaftextending through the stator, and an overmold structure. The overmoldstructure includes: a radially body extending adjacent an axial end ofthe stator and coupled to the rotor shaft via a bushing, and asubstantially cylindrical body formed to secure the plurality ofpermanent magnets. At least the substantially cylindrical body of theovermold structure is formed via a metal injection molding process toincrease a magnetic flux of the rotor.

In an embodiment, the motor includes no solid core flux ring.

In an embodiment, the radial body of the overmold structure includesblades that form a fan configured to generate an airflow through themotor.

According to another aspect of the invention, a brushless direct-current(BLDC) motor is provided including: a rotor comprising a rotor core,permanent magnets secured to the rotor core, and a rotor shaft; a statorincluding a stator core having an inner annular body though which therotor shaft extends and stator teeth extending radially outwardly fromthe inner annular body, stator windings wound around the stator teeth,an insulating body electrically insulating the stator windings from thestator core, and stator terminals mounted to the insulating body andelectrically coupled to the stator windings; and a positional sensorboard mounted to the insulating body and including at least onepositional sensor configured to magnetically sense the permanentmagnets. The positional sensor board is C-shaped including two endsdefining a gap in between, and the stator terminals are located withinthe gap so as to radially intersect a radial plane of the positionalsensor board.

In an embodiment, the positional sensor board includes an outer diameterthan is greater than an outer diameter of the stator.

In an embodiment, the positional sensor board includes an inner diameterthan is greater than an inner diameter of the inner annular body.

In an embodiment, the insulating body includes axial posts that supportthe positional sensor board.

In an embodiment, the stator terminals are aligned with three of thestator teeth.

In an embodiment, the gap occupies an angular distance of approximately40 to 50 degrees.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be setforth, in part, in the description that follows, and will, in part, beapparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice ofvarious embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of variousembodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements andcombinations particularly pointed out in the description herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a power tool, in this example an impacttool, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary impacttool, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of an impact mechanism of the exemplaryimpact tool, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor,according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a partial exploded view of the power tool including theouter-rotor BLDC motor and a transmission assembly, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of the power toolincluding the outer-rotor BLDC motor, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of the outer-rotor BLDC motor, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor,according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts a partial exploded view of a power tool including theouter-rotor BLDC motor and a transmission assembly, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of the power toolincluding the outer-rotor BLDC motor, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 depicts an exploded view of the outer-rotor BLDC motor,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor,according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of a transmission assembly configuredfor coupling with the motor, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the power toolincluding the motor and the transmission assembly, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 15 depicts a partial exploded view of a power tool including themotor and the transmission assembly, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 depicts another partial exploded view of the power tool prior tomounting of the motor to the transmission assembly, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 17 depicts a partial perspective view of the power tool with ahousing half removed to show the motor and the transmission assembly,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 depicts zoomed-in view of the transmission assembly and the toolhousing, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor,according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 depicts a partial exploded view of a power tool provided withthe outer-rotor BLDC motor and a transmission assembly, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 21 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of the power toolincluding the outer-rotor BLDC motor and the transmission assembly,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 depicts a partially exploded view of the outer-rotor BLDC motor,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor,according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 24 depicts a partially exploded view of the outer-rotor BLDC motor,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of the power toolincluding the outer-rotor BLDC motor and the transmission assembly,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 depicts an exploded perspective view of the rotor assembly,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 27 depicts a side cross-sectional view of the rotor assembly,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 28 depicts a partial perspective view of the rotor assembly,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 29 depict a perspective view of a rotor core, according to analternative and/or additional embodiment.

FIG. 30 depicts a coil-shape continuous wire rod used to form the rotorcore, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 31 depicts an exploded view of the rotor assembly utilizing therotor core, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 32 depicts a perspective view of the rotor assembly, according to afurther and/or alternative embodiment.

FIG. 33 depicts a perspective view of a rotor core for use in the rotorassembly, according to a further and/or alternative embodiment.

FIG. 34 depicts an explode view of the rotor core, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 35 depicts a perspective exploded view of the stator assembly andthe positional sensor board, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 36 depicts a partial perspective view of the motor including thepositional sensor board, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 37 depicts a zoomed-in view of one of the second axial posts and acorresponding motor terminal, according to an embodiment.

Throughout this specification and figures like reference numbersidentify like elements.

DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide anexplanation of various embodiments of the present teachings.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a power tool 10, in this example an impacttool, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 depicts a partialcross-sectional view of the exemplary impact tool 10 according to anembodiment. FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of an impact mechanism ofthe exemplary impact tool 10 according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the exemplary impact tool 10 includes a housing 12having a motor housing portion 23 including two clamshells that cometogether to house a motor 100 rotatably driving a rotor shaft 102 and anosecone 21 coupled to the motor housing portion 23 that houses animpact mechanism 40. A transmission assembly 20 is disposed between themotor 100 and the impact mechanism 40 that cooperates with the impactmechanism 40 to selectively impart rotary motion and/or a rotary impactmotion to an output spindle 26. Where the tool is an impact wrench, asshown in this example, a socket drive 28 is formed at the end of theoutput spindle 26 designed to drive a socket wrench (not shown).Alternatively, where the power tool is an impact driver, a bit holdermay be coupled to the end of the output spindle. Details regardingexemplary tool holders are set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/394,426, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The power tool further includes a handle 13 that extends transverse tothe housing 12 and accommodates a trigger switch 15, a control and/orpower module (not shown) that includes control electronics and switchingcomponents for driving the motor 100, and a battery receptacle 17 thatreceives a removeable power tool battery pack for supplying electricpower to the motor 100. The handle 13 has a proximal portion coupled tothe housing 12 and a distal portion coupled to the battery receptacle17. The motor 100 may be powered by an electrical power source, such asa DC power source or battery (not shown), that is coupled to the batteryreceptacle 17, or by an AC power source. The trigger 15 is coupled tothe handle 13 adjacent the housing 12. The trigger 15 connects theelectrical power source to the motor 100 via the control and/or powermodule, which controls power delivery to the motor 100.

In an embodiment, the transmission assembly 20 may comprise a planetarytransmission and may include, among other features, a pinion or sun gear24 that is coupled to an end of the rotor shaft 102 of the motor 100 andthat extends along a tool axis X. One or more planet gears 48 surroundand have teeth that mesh with the teeth on the sun gear 24. An outerring gear 30 is rotationally fixed to the housing 12 and centered on thetool axis X with internal teeth meshing with the teeth on the planetgears 48. A cam carrier 22 includes a pair of carrier plates 22A, 22Bthat support the planet gears 48 with pins 35 so that the planet gears48 can rotate about the pins 55. The cam carrier 22 further includes arearward protrusion 37 that extends axially rearward from the rearcarrier plate 22A along the axis X and a cam shaft 39 that extendsaxially forward from the front carrier plate 22B along the axis X.

When the motor 100 is energized, the rotor shaft 102 and the sun gear 24rotate about the axis X. Rotation of the sun gear 24 causes the planetgears 48 to orbit the sun gear 24 about the axis X, which in turn causesthe cam carrier 22 to rotate about the axis X at a reduced speedrelative to the rotational speed of the rotor shaft 102. In theillustrated embodiment, only a single planetary stage is shown. Itshould be understood that the transmission may include multipleplanetary stages that may provide for multiple speed reductions, andthat each stage can be selectively actuated to provide for multipledifferent output speeds of the planet carrier. Further, the transmissionmay include a different type of gear system such as a parallel axistransmission or a spur gear transmission.

The impact mechanism 40 includes the cam shaft 59, a generallycylindrical hammer 42 received over the cam shaft 59, and an anvil 44fixedly coupled to the output spindle 26. The hammer 42 has two lugs 45configured to engage two radial projections 46 on the anvil 44 in arotating direction. Formed on an outer surface of the cam shaft 59 is apair of rear-facing V-shaped cam grooves 47 with their open ends facingtoward transmission assembly 20. A corresponding pair of forward-facingV-shaped cam grooves (not shown) is formed on an interior surface of thehammer 42 with their open ends facing toward the output spindle 26.Balls 49 are received in and rides along each of the cam grooves 47 tomovably couple the hammer 42 to the cam shaft 59. A compression spring41 is received in a cylindrical recess in the hammer 42 and abuts aforward face of the front carrier plate 22B. The spring 41 biases thehammer 42 toward the anvil 44 so that the so hammer lugs 45 engage thecorresponding anvil projections 44.

At low torque levels, the impact mechanism 40 transmits torque from thetransmission assembly 20 to the output spindle 26 in a rotary mode. Inthe rotary mode, the compression spring 41 maintains the hammer 42 in aforward position so that the hammer lugs 45 continuously engage theanvil projections 46. This causes the cam shaft 59, the hammer 42, theanvil 44, and the output spindle 26 to rotate together as a unit aboutthe axis X. As torque increases, the impact mechanism 40 may transitionto transmitting torque to the output spindle 26 in an impact mode. Inthe impact mode, the hammer 44 moves axially rearwardly against theforce of the spring 41, decoupling the hammer lugs 45 from the anvilprojections 46. The anvil 44 continues to spin freely on about the axisX without being driven by the motor 100 and the transmission assembly20, so that the anvil 44 coasts to a slower speed. Meanwhile, the hammer42 continues to be driven at a higher speed by the motor 100 andtransmission assembly 20, while the hammer 42 moves axially rearwardlyrelative to the anvil 44 by the movement of the balls 49 in the V-shapedcam grooves 47. When the balls 49 reach their rearmost position in theV-shaped cam grooves 47, the spring 41 drives the hammer 42 axiallyforward with a rotational speed that exceeds the rotational speed of theanvil 44. This causes the hammer lugs 45 to rotationally strike theanvil projections 46, imparting a rotational impact to the outputspindle 26.

In an embodiment, the motor 100 is a brushless direct-current (BLDC)motor that includes an inner rotor 104 having surface-mount magnets 106on a rotor core 108 and a stator assembly 110 located around the rotor104. The stator assembly 110 includes a stator core 112 having a seriesof teeth 114 projecting radially inwardly from the stator core 112, anda series of conductive windings 113 wound around the stator teeth 114 todefine three phases connected in a wye or a delta configuration. As thephases of the stator assembly 110 are sequentially energized, theyinteract with the rotor magnets 106 to cause rotation of the rotor 104relative to the stator assembly 110.

In an embodiment, the rotor core 108 is mounted on the rotor shaft 102and supports a series of rotor magnet 106. The rotor core 108 may bemade of a solid core piece of metal or lamination stack that includes aseries of parallel laminations. In an embodiment, the rotor magnet 106is a ring surface-mounted on the outer surface of the rotor core 108 andmagnetized in a series of poles, e.g., four poles having a S-N-S-Norientation. Alternatively, rotor magnet 106 may be provided as a seriesof discrete magnet segments that may be pre-magnetized prior toassembly. The outer surface of the rotor core 108 may be shaped forproper retention of the magnet segments. In yet another embodiment, therotor magnets 106 may be fully or partially embedded within the rotorcore 108.

In an embodiment, a fan 118 is mounted on the rotor shaft 102 behind themotor 100. In an embodiment, a rear tool cap 14 is mounted to the end ofthe housing 12 to contain the end of the motor 100. The rear tool cap 14may be provided integrally with the housing 12 or as a separate piece.In an embodiment, the fan 118 is positioned between the motor 100 andthe rear tool cap 14. The fan 118 generates airflow through the motor100 and (preferably) the transmission assembly 20 to cool thecomponents.

In an embodiment, a rear motor bearing 160 that supports the rotor shaft102 is supported by a wall or retention rib of the tool housing 12. Inan embodiment, a support plate 130 supports a front motor bearing 158that in turn supports the rotor shaft 102. The support plate 130includes a cylindrical portion 132 that receives the outer race of thefront motor bearing 158 and a radial portion 134 that extends radiallyfrom the cylindrical portion 132 and includes radial ends supported bythe tool housing 12. The stator assembly 110 is also supported by thetool housing 12, thus being axially and radially secure with respect tothe support plate 130. In this manner, the support plate 130 axially andradially supports the rotor 104 within the stator assembly 110. In anembodiment, the support plate 130 and the stator assembly 110 may beindependently supported by the tool housing 12. In another embodiment,the support plate may be formed integrally as a part of two clamshellsthat form the tool housing 12. Alternatively, the support plate 130 maybe piloted to and retained by the stator assembly 110 directly andindependently of the tool housing 12.

In an embodiment, the support plate 130 also has a front lip thatsupports a component of the transmission assembly 20, such as supportingthe ring gear 30, to inhibit axially and rotational movement of the ringgear 30 relative to the housing 12. In addition, the support plate 130supports a cam carrier bearing 32 that supports the cam carrier 22relative to the support plate 130, and therefore relative to the motor100 and the tool housing 12. The cam carrier bearing 32 is nested withinthe support plate 130 adjacent the motor 100. Specifically, the supportplate 130 is positioned between the motor 100 and transmission assembly20 and provides support for the front motor bearing 158 on one side andfor the cam carrier bearing 32 on the other side. In an embodiment, thesupport plate 130 includes a recessed portion 136 that includes a largerdiameter than the cylindrical portion 134 and is sized to receive thecam carrier bearing 32 therein. The cam carrier bearing 32 is thuslocated axially forward of the entire motor 100.

In an embodiment, motor 100 has a total length from the rearmost part ofthe motor (e.g., the fan 118) to the frontmost part of the motor (e.g.,front of the windings 113) of approximately 45 mm to 50 mm and adiameter defined by the outer surface of the stator core 112 ofapproximately 44 mm to 57 mm (e.g., approximately 51 mm). In anembodiment, a distance L1 between a front of the motor, in this exampledefined by the forwardmost part of the windings 113, to the rear of thecam carrier 22, is approximately 10.4 mm. Thus, the power tool 10 has atotal length of approximately 120 to 130 mm. In an embodiment, the motor100 produces a maximum power output of at least 426 watts.

According to an alternative embodiment, various examples of anouter-rotor BLDC motor is provided as a substitute for theabove-described inner-rotor BLDC motor 100, as described herein withreference to FIGS. 4-25 . The outer-rotor motor may be configured toinclude many of the size and power limitations described above withreference to FIGS. 1-4 , but it includes an exterior rotor thatsurrounds an interior stator. Outer-rotor motors typically have a higherinertia than comparable inner-rotor motors due to the greater size ofthe rotor assembly, which dampen torque ripple and provide a more stableoperation even at low speed. Further, outer-rotor motors, due to thelarger area of magnetic flux, are typically capable of providing highertorque than comparably sized inner-rotor motors. In an embodiment, theouter-rotor motors described herein produce more power than theinner-rotor motor described above, without adding to the overall size orlength of the tool. In fact, embodiments of the outer-rotor motordescribed herein reduce the overall length of the motor and the powertool.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor 200,according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 depicts apartial exploded view of the power tool 50 including the outer-rotorBLDC motor 200 and a transmission assembly 56, according to anembodiment. FIG. 6 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of the powertool 50 including the outer-rotor BLDC motor 200, according to anembodiment. FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of the outer-rotor BLDCmotor 200, according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, power tool 50 includes many of the same features aspower tool 10 described above, including but not limited to, a powertool housing 52 including two clamshells that come together to house themotor 200, and a nosecone 51 that houses an impact mechanism (notshown). The transmission assembly 56 is disposed between the motor 200and the impact mechanism and cooperates with the impact mechanism toselectively impart rotary motion and/or a rotary impact motion to anoutput spindle. In an embodiment, tool housing 52 and transmissionassembly 56 respectively include many of the same features of toolhousing and transmission assembly previously discussed, with somedifferences discussed below in detail. To the extent that these or otherpower tool components include identical or similar features as describedabove, the same reference numerals are used.

In an embodiment, as shown in these figures, the outer rotor-rotor BLDCmotor 200 includes an internal stator assembly 210 received within anexternal rotor assembly 240.

In an embodiment, stator assembly 210 includes a stator core (alsoreferred to as stator lamination stack) 212 formed by a series of steellaminations. The stator lamination stack 212 is mounted on andstructurally supported via a stator mount 214, described below. Thestator lamination stack 212 supports a series of stator windings (notshown). In an exemplary embodiment, the stator windings are wound inthree phases, which, when respectively energized by a control module,cause rotation of the rotor assembly 240. For a discussion of structuraldetails of the stator assembly 210, reference is made to US PatentPublication No. 2020/0343789 filed Apr. 23, 2020, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

In an embodiment, the stator mount 214 includes an elongated cylindricalportion 222 sized to be received securely within a central aperture ofthe stator lamination stack 212. In an embodiment, the stator laminationstack 212 may be press-fitted over the cylindrical portion 222 of thestator mount 214. In an embodiment, stator mount 214 further includes aradial member 220 at an end of the cylindrical portion 222 outside thebody of the stator lamination stack 212. The radial member 220 of thestator mount, as described below in detail, engages the transmissionassembly 56 and (in an embodiment) a portion of the tool housing 52 tostructurally pilot and support the stator assembly 210.

In an embodiment, a positional sensor board 226 is mounted on an end ofthe stator lamination stack 212, between the stator lamination stack 212and the radial member 220 of the stator mount 214. In an embodiment, thepositional sensor board 226 includes a series of Hall sensors positionedfor sensing a rotary position of the rotor assembly 240. Signalsindicative of the rotary position of the rotor assembly 240 are providedby the Hall sensors to the control module.

In an embodiment, rotor assembly 240 includes a cylindrical rotor core242 formed around the stator assembly 210, and a series of permanentmagnets 244 secured to the inner surface of the rotor core 242 facingthe stator assembly 210 with a small airgap therebetween. As will bedescribed later, the magnets 244 are held relative to the rotor core 242via an overmold structure 245. As the stator windings are energized in acontrolled pattern, they magnetically interact with permanent magnets244, thus causing the rotation of the rotor assembly 240.

In an embodiment, the rotor assembly 240 further includes a radial body246 peripherally connected (either integrally or discretely) to a rearend of the rotor core 242. In an embodiment, the radial body 246includes a series of openings adjacent the rotor core 242, which form aseries of blades 248 extending radially therebetween. The blades 248form a fan adjacent the rotor core 242 that generates an airflow withthe rotation of the rotor assembly 240 for coiling the stator and rotorcomponents. In an embodiment, the radial body 246 is centrally mountedon a rotor shaft 260 via a bushing 262. The rotation of the rotorassembly 240 is transferred via the radial body 246 an the bushing 262to cause rotation of the rotor shaft 260. In an embodiment, pinion 264is mounted on a front end of the rotor shaft 260, or integrally formedat the front end of the rotor shaft 260, for coupling the rotor shaft260 to transmission assembly 56.

In an embodiment, at least a front motor bearing 266 and a rear motorbearing 268 are mounted on the rotor shaft 260 and received within thecylindrical portion 222 of the stator mount 214. In an embodiment, rearmotor bearing 268 is fully contained within an envelope defined by theradial ends of the stator core 212, whereas the front motor bearing 266is disposed outside the envelope. In an embodiment, the rear motorbearing 268 abuts against the bushing 262. In an embodiment, the frontmotor bearing 266 is radially inward of the positional sensor board 226such that a radial plane of the positional sensor board 226 intersectsthe front motor bearing 266. In an embodiment, a spacer 269 is disposedbetween the bearings 266 and 268. In an embodiment, the bearings 266 and268 structurally support the rotor shaft 260 while allowing its freerotation within the stator assembly 210. The bearings 266 and 268consequently structurally support the

In an embodiment, transmission assembly 56 includes a transmissionhousing 57 that is substantially cylindrical and houses the cam carrier22 and associated components, and a rear wall 270. The radial member 220of the stator mount 214 is in contact with a rear surface of the rearwall 270 of the transmission assembly 56. In an embodiment, radialmember 220 includes a center recessed portion 224 formed by anintermediary cylindrical portion 225 having a larger diameter than thecylindrical portion 222 and a smaller diameter than the outer peripheryof the radial member 220. The center recessed portion 224 and theintermediary cylindrical portion 225 cooperatively form a cavity facingthe transmission assembly 56. In an embodiment, the rear surface of therear wall 270 of the transmission assembly 56 includes an annular centerbody 272 arranged to be form-fittingly received within the cavity.Further, in an embodiment, the outer periphery of the radial member 220is radially constrained within an annular peripheral body 275 of thetransmission assembly 56. In an embodiment, the rear wall 270 of thetransmission assembly 56 is recessed relative to the annular peripheralbody 275 and the annular center body 272, forming a cavity sized toreceive the radial member 220 of the stator mount 214. This arrangementprovides a support structure that pilots and radially supports thestator mount 214 directly to the transmission assembly 56 and thusrelative to the power tool housing 52.

Further, in an embodiment, the outer periphery of the radial member 220of the stator mount 214 includes a series of notches 228 formed thereinin a radially-inward direction at predetermined locations. the rearsurface of the rear wall 270 of the transmission assembly 56 includes aseries of peripheral indentations 274 that project axially in thedirection of the motor 200. The indentations 274 correspondingly engagethe notches 228 of the radial member 220 to rotationally fix the statormount 214 to the transmission assembly 56 and thus relative to the powertool housing 52.

In an embodiment, radial member 220 is axially constrained and is indirect contact with the rear wall 270 of the transmission assembly 56,and the center recessed portion 224 is axially constrained and is incontact with the cylindrical portion 222 of the transmission assembly56. Further, in an embodiment, a radial wall 280 of the tool housing 52projects radially between the motor 200 and the transmission assembly 56around the annual center body 272 of the transmission assembly 56. In anembodiment, the radial member 220 of the stator mount 214 is disposedforward of the radial wall 280 and the rest of the motor assembly 200 isprovided rearward of the radial wall 280. As such, the radial member 220is axially clamped by the rear wall 270 of the transmission assembly 56on one side and by the radial wall 280 of the power tool housing 52 onthe other side. This arrangement ensures that the stator mount 214 isaxially fixed relative to the transmission assembly 56 and the powertool housing 52. In an embodiment, the intermediary cylindrical portion225 of the radial member 220 is received through a center opening of theradial wall 280 such that a radial plane of the radial wall 280intersects the intermediary cylindrical portion 225.

In an embodiment, the cam carrier bearing 32 of the transmissionassembly 56 is supported by at least a portion of the annular centerbody 272. In an embodiment, the radial plane of the radial member 220 ofthe stator mount 214 intersects a portion of the cam carrier bearing 32.

In an embodiment, a rear end cap 54 is mounted on the rear end of thepower tool housing 52 behind the motor 200. In an embodiment, the rearend cap 54 captures the rear surface of the radial body 246 and the fanblades 248 of the rotor assembly 240, thus providing a baffle for thefan blades 248 to radially expel the air away from the motor 200. In anembodiment, the rear end cap 54 includes one or more radial openings 58that allow the air to be radially expelled from the power tool 50. In anembodiment, since both bearings 266 and 268 are contained within thestator mount 214, the rear end cap 54 need not support a bearing of therotor shaft 260 or make contact with any part of the motor 200. In otherwords, the entirety of the motor 200 is piloted and structurallysupported by the transmission assembly 56, alone or in combination withthe radial wall 280 of the tool housing 52. No part of the motor 200 issupported or in contact with the rear end cap 54 or the part of the toolhousing 52 surrounding the motor 200. In an embodiment, a gap betweenthe rear end cap 54 and the fan blades 248 is approximately 6 to 8 mm.

The embodiment described above provides a compact yet high powerouter-rotor motor 200 having a small axial length suitable for manypower tool applications such as drills, impact drivers, impact wrenches,etc. The stator assembly 210 of this embodiment is designed to be fullysupported only on one side of the motor 200 by the transmission assembly56 in cooperation with the radial wall 280 of the tool housing 52.Further, the rotor assembly 240 is merely supported by bearings providedwithin the stator mount 214, without any further support needed on thepower tool end cap 54.

In an embodiment, motor 200 has a total length from the rearmost part ofthe motor (e.g., the radial body 246) to the frontmost part of the motor(e.g., front of the windings 113) of approximately 38 mm to 42 mm and adiameter as defined by the outer surface of the rotor assembly 240 ofapproximately of approximately 44 mm to 57 mm (e.g., approximately 51mm). In an embodiment, a distance L2 between a front of the motor, inthis example defined by the forwardmost part of the windings (not shown)and/or the frontmost part of the positional sensor board 226, to therear of the cam carrier 22, is at smaller than or equal to 11.8 mm,preferably smaller than or equal to approximately 11.3 mm. Thus, thepower tool 50 has a total length of approximately 115 to 122 mm,preferably smaller than or equal to 119.5 mm, even more preferablysmaller than or equal to approximately 118.7 mm. In an embodiment, themotor 100 produces a maximum power output of at least 620 watts from a20V max power tool battery pack.

A further and/or alternative embodiment of the invention is describedwith reference to FIGS. 8-11 .

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor 300,according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 depicts apartial exploded view of a power tool 60 including the outer-rotor BLDCmotor 300 and a transmission assembly 66, according to an embodiment.FIG. 10 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of the power tool 60including the outer-rotor BLDC motor 300, according to an embodiment.FIG. 11 depicts an exploded view of the outer-rotor BLDC motor 300,according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, power tool 60 includes many of the same features aspower tools 10 and/or 50 described above, including but not limited to,a power tool housing 62 including two clamshells that come together tohouse the motor 300, and a nosecone 61 that houses an impact mechanism(not shown). The transmission assembly 66 is disposed between the motor300 and the impact mechanism and cooperates with the impact mechanism toselectively impart rotary motion and/or a rotary impact motion to anoutput spindle. In an embodiment, transmission assembly 66 includes atransmission housing 67 that is substantially cylindrical and houses thecam carrier 22 and associated components, and a rear wall 370. In anembodiment, tool housing 62 and transmission assembly 66 respectivelyinclude many of the same features of tool housing and transmissionassembly previously discussed, with some differences discussed below indetail. To the extent that these or other power tool components includeidentical or similar features as described above, the same referencenumerals are used.

In an embodiment, the motor 300 includes many of the same features asmotor 200 described above, and to the same extent that identical orsimilar features are incorporated in motor 300, the same referencenumerals are used. In an embodiment, motor 300 includes a modifiedstator mount 314 design. The rear wall 370 of the transmission assembly66 also includes a modified design for retention of the stator mount314. In an embodiment, a lock ring 316 is utilized to secure the statormount 314 to the transmission assembly 66. These features are describedhere in detail.

In an embodiment, the stator mount 314 includes an elongated cylindricalportion 322 sized to be received securely within a central aperture ofthe stator lamination stack 212. In an embodiment, the stator laminationstack 212 may be press-fitted over the cylindrical portion 322 of thestator mount 314. In an embodiment, stator mount 314 further includes aradial member 320 at an end of the cylindrical portion 322 outside thebody of the stator lamination stack 212. In an embodiment, radial member320 is formed as an outward projecting rim from the end of thecylindrical portion 322. In an embodiment, notches 228 are formed atpredetermined locations in the peripheral edge of the radial member 320.

In an embodiment, the rear wall 370 of the transmission assembly 66 isintegrally formed with an annular body 372 projecting in the directionof the motor 300. In an embodiment, the annular body 372 forms a bearingholder facing the cam carrier 22 that securely receives the cam carrierbearing 32 therein and thus pilots and supports the cam carrier 22relative to the transmission assembly 66. In an embodiment, annular body372 includes a diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter oftransmission assembly 66, but greater than the outer diameter of theradial member 320 of the stator mount 314. In an embodiment, the outersurface of the annular body 372 is threaded. A rear surface 374 of theannular body 372 opposite the cam carrier bearing 32 is slightlyrecessed relative to the rear end of its outer surface and sized toreceive and engage the radial member 320 of the stator mount 314. Thisarrangement ensures that the stator mount 314 is radially fixed relativeto the transmission assembly 66 and thus radially piloted to the powertool housing 62. In an embodiment, the rear surface 374 of the annularbody 372 includes one or more projecting indentations 376 arranged toengage the notches 228 of the stator mount 314. Engagement of theindentations 376 and the notches 228 rotationally fixes the stator mount314 to the transmission assembly 66 and the power tool housing 62.

In an embodiment, lock ring 316 includes a nut-shaped main portion 317having a threaded inner surface and a radial portion 318. The nut-shapedmain portion 317 is sized to be fastened onto the annular body 372. Theradial portion 318 includes an inner opening having a slightly largerinner diameter than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 322 ofthe stator mount 314. The cylindrical portion 322 is received throughthe inner opening of the radial portion 328, and the radial portion 318clamps the radial member 320 of the stator mount 314 against the rearsurface 374 of the annular body 372 of the transmission assembly 66 whenthe lock ring 316 is fastened onto the annular body 372. Thisarrangement ensures that the stator mount 314 is axially fixed andstructurally secured to the transmission assembly 66 and the power toolhousing 62.

In an embodiment, lock ring 316 is slid over the cylindrical portion322, thus capturing the radial member 320 of the stator mount 314,before the stator assembly 210 is tightly mounted on the cylindricalportion 322. In an embodiment, the lock ring 316 and the annular body372 are both partially received within the center opening formed by theradial wall 280 of the tool housing 62.

In an embodiment, the cam carrier bearing 32 of the transmissionassembly 66 is supported by at least a portion of the annular body 372.In an embodiment, a radial plane that intersects a front portion of thelock ring 316 also radially intersects a portion of the cam carrierbearing 32.

With this arrangement, like the previous embodiment, the stator assembly210 is fully supported only on one side of the motor 200 by thetransmission assembly 66. Unlike the previous embodiment, however, theradial wall 280 of the power tool housing 62 is not relied on to axiallyfix the stator mount 314 to the transmission assembly 66. Rather, thelock ring 316 is configured to fully fix and support the stator mount314 to the transmission assembly 66 independently of the power toolhousing 62.

A further and/or alternative embodiment of the invention is describedwith reference to FIGS. 12-18 .

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor 400,according to a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 13 depicts aperspective view of a transmission assembly 76 configured for couplingwith the motor 400, according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 depicts apartial cross-sectional view of the power tool 70 including the motor400 and the transmission assembly 76, according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, power tool 70 includes many of the same features asthe various power tools described above, including but not limited to, apower tool housing 72 including two clamshells that come together tohouse the motor 400, and a nosecone 71 that houses an impact mechanism(not shown). The transmission assembly 76 is disposed between the motor400 and the impact mechanism and cooperates with the impact mechanism toselectively impart rotary motion and/or a rotary impact motion to anoutput spindle. In an embodiment, tool housing 72 and transmissionassembly 76 respectively include many of the same features of toolhousing and transmission assembly previously discussed, with somedifferences discussed below in detail. To the extent that these or otherpower tool components include identical or similar features as describedabove, the same reference numerals are used.

In an embodiment, motor 400 includes many of the same features as motors100-300 described above, and to the same extent that identical orsimilar features are incorporated in motor 400, the same referencenumerals are used. In an embodiment, motor 400 includes a positionalsensor board 416 which, similarly to positional sensor board 226described above, senses a rotational position of the rotor. The motor400 further includes a modified stator mount 414 design and thetransmission assembly 76 also includes a corresponding modified designfor coupling with and retention of the stator mount 414. Specifically,in an embodiment, stator mount 414 includes a series of axial and radialtabs 422 and 424 that extend peripherally from a radial member 420 ofthe stator mount 414 and are coupled to a rear end of a transmissionhousing 77 of the transmission assembly 76 having a substantiallycylindrical body to radially and rotationally fix the stator mount 414to the transmission assembly 76. These features are described here indetail.

In an embodiment, the stator mount 414 includes an elongated cylindricalportion 426 sized to be received securely within a central aperture ofthe stator lamination stack 212. In an embodiment, the stator laminationstack 212 may be press-fitted over the cylindrical portion 426 of thestator mount 414. In an embodiment, stator mount 414 further includes aradial member 420 at an end of the cylindrical portion 426 outside thebody of the stator lamination stack 212. In an embodiment, radial member420 includes a stepped portion 414 that forms a bearing holder facingthe cam carrier 22 for receiving the cam carrier bearing 32. In anembodiment, the radial member 420 has an outer diameter that is slightlysmaller than the outer diameter of the transmission housing 77 byapproximately 2 to 5 mm. In an embodiment, the axial tabs 422 and radialtabs 424 (in this example four axial tabs 422 and four radial tabs 424alternatively arranged) extend axially and radially outwardly,respectively, from the outer periphery of the radial member 420. In anembodiment, an outer periphery formed by distal edges of the radial tabs424 includes approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter ofthe transmission housing 77.

In an embodiment, the transmission assembly 76 includes a front portion471 that is at least partially received within the nosecone 71 and arear portion 473 that is configured to receive and securely house a ringgear 430. An inner annular projection 478 separating the front portion471 and the rear 473 forms a radial wall against which the ring gear 430abuts.

In an embodiment, the rear portion 473 of the transmission assembly 76includes a series of first recessed surfaces 472 and a series of secondrecessed surfaces 474 alternatingly formed in its inner surface andextending axially from its rear surface. In an embodiment, the rearsurface of the transmission housing 77 includes notches 475 aligned withthe second recessed surfaces 474. In an embodiment, the axial tabs 422of the stator mount 414 are slip-fit along the first recessed surfaces472 to secure the stator mount 414, rotationally and radially, to thetransmission assembly 76. In an embodiment, the ring gear 430 includes aseries of (in this example four) outer tabs 440 that are slidinglyreceived in engagement with the second recessed surfaces 474 to securethe ring gear 430 within the rear portion 473 of the transmissionassembly 76. In an embodiment, radial tabs 424 of the stator mount 414are received into the notches 475 of the transmission assembly 76 toprovide additional rotational support for the stator mount 414 relativeto the transmission assembly 76. In an embodiment, the radial member420, with mated with the transmission housing 77 in this manner,substantially seals the transmission assembly 70.

FIG. 15 depicts a partial exploded view of a power tool 70 including themotor 400 and the transmission assembly 76, according to an embodiment.FIG. 16 depicts another partial exploded view of the power tool 70 priorto mounting of the motor 400 to the transmission assembly 76, accordingto an embodiment. FIG. 17 depicts a partial perspective view of thepower tool 70 with a housing half removed to show the motor 400 and thetransmission assembly 76, according to an embodiment. FIG. 18 depictszoomed-in view of the transmission assembly 76 and the tool housing 72,according to an embodiment.

During the assembly process, as seen in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the frontportion 471 of the transmission assembly 76 is mounted into the nosecone71 and the rear portion 473 is positioned to house the cam carrier 22,with the ring gear 430 being in radial alignment with the planet gears48 of the cam carrier 22. In an embodiment, an O-ring 450 is receivedbetween the front portion 471 and the nosecone 71 to radially secure thetransmission assembly 76. In an embodiment, the motor 400, including thestator mount 414, is mounted onto the transmission assembly 76, with theaxial tabs 422 fitted along the first recessed surfaces 472 and theradial tabs 424 received into the recessed regions 475 of thetransmission assembly 76.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the entire assembly isthen placed in the tool housing 72. In an embodiment, the tool housing72 includes a series of threaded openings 74 facing the nosecone 71. Aseries of fasteners 73 are received into the threaded openings 74 tosecure the nosecone 71 to the tool housing 72. In an embodiment, thetool housing 72 includes annular rims 75 formed around the threadedopenings 74. In an embodiment, the front portion 471 of the transmissionassembly 76 includes outer protrusions 476 having rounded outer edges.When fully assembled, the rounded edges of the outer protrusions 476rest against the annular rims 75 of the tool housing 72 to rotationallock the transmission assembly 76 relative to the tool housing 72.Further, the tool housing 72 includes a radial wall 480 that projectsradially between the motor 400 and the transmission assembly 76 andengages the rear surface of the radial member 420 of the stator mount414. The radial wall 480 axially constrains the stator mount 414 againstthe transmission assembly 76, and in turn, the transmission assembly 76against the nosecone 71. In this manner, the tool housing 72 cooperateswith the nosecone 71 to rotationally and axially pilot and support thetransmission assembly 76 and the stator mount 416.

The above-described arrangement provides a structure whereby, like theprevious embodiments, the stator assembly 210 is fully supported only onone side of the motor 400 by the transmission assembly 76. However,unlike the previous embodiments, where the retention features of thestator mount are located between the transmission assembly and thestator assembly, the stator mount 416 of the above embodiment is lockedinto the transmission housing 77. In other words, the retention featuresrequired for axial, rotational, and radial piloting and support of thestator mount 416 are located radially outwardly of the ring gear 430 andthe cam carrier bearing 32, and do not occupy the space between thestator mount 416 and the transmission assembly 76 along the axialdirection. This arrangement thus reducing the axial length of the powertool 70.

In an embodiment, a distance L3 between a front of the motor 400, inthis example defined by the forwardmost part of the windings (not shown)and/or the frontmost part of the positional sensor board 416, to therear of the cam carrier 22, is smaller than or equal to approximately10.3 mm, preferably smaller than or equal to approximately 9.9 mm. Thus,where the motor performance, diameter and length are the same as motor200 described above, this arrangement allows the total length of thetool to be reduced by an additional 1.4 mm, preferably to a total lengthsmaller than or equal to 118.4 mm, even more preferably smaller than orequal to approximately 117.3 mm.

A further and/or alternative embodiment of the invention is describedwith reference to FIGS. 19-22 .

FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor 500,according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 20 depicts apartial exploded view of a power tool 80 provided with the outer-rotorBLDC motor 500 and a transmission assembly 86, according to anembodiment. FIG. 21 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of thepower tool 80 including the outer-rotor BLDC motor 500 and thetransmission assembly 86, according to an embodiment. FIG. 22 depicts apartially exploded view of the outer-rotor BLDC motor 500, according toan embodiment.

In an embodiment, power tool 80 includes many of the same features asthe above-described power tools, including but not limited to, a powertool housing 82 including two clamshells that come together to house themotor 500, and a nosecone 81 that houses an impact mechanism (notshown). The transmission assembly 86 is disposed between the motor 500and the impact mechanism and cooperates with the impact mechanism toselectively impart rotary motion and/or a rotary impact motion to anoutput spindle. In an embodiment, tool housing 82 and transmissionassembly 86 respectively include many of the same features of toolhousing and transmission assembly previously discussed, with somedifferences discussed below in detail. To the extent that these or otherpower tool components include identical or similar features as describedabove, the same reference numerals are used.

In an embodiment, motor 500 includes many of the same features as themotors 200-400 described above, and to the extent that identical orsimilar features are incorporated in motor 500, the same referencenumerals are used. Similarly, the transmission assembly 86 includes manyof the same features as transmission assemblies described above, and tothe extent that identical or similar features are incorporated in, thesame reference numerals are used. In an embodiment, unlike the previousembodiments, motor 500 includes a stator mount assembly 514 having anintegrated mounting member 518 that supports the stator on one side andincludes a ring gear mount 534 for supporting a ring gear 530 on theother side. Accordingly, in an embodiment, some components of thetransmission assembly 86, including the ring gear 530 and the associatedplanet gears of the cam carrier 22, are at least partially nested withinthe integrated mounting member 518. Integration of the ring gear mount534 and the ring gear 530 to the motor assembly contributes to areduction in axial length of the power tool 80. Details of the statormount assembly 514 and the transmission assembly 86 are discussed below.

In an embodiment, stator mount assembly 514 includes a stator mount 516.Stator mount 516 includes an elongated cylindrical portion 522 sized tobe received securely within a central aperture of the stator laminationstack 212. In an embodiment, the stator lamination stack 212 may bepress-fitted over the cylindrical portion 522 of the stator mount 516.In an embodiment, stator mount 516 further includes a radial member 520extending radially from an end of the cylindrical portion 522 outsidethe body of the stator lamination stack 212. In an embodiment, anannular body extends from the radial member 520 opposite the cylindricalportion 522, where the inner surface of the annular body 524 has alarger diameter than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 522.In an embodiment, a series of radial arms 525 (in this example, threeradial arms 525) extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of theannular body 524, each arm 525 forming an outer protrusion 526 thatextends further out than the main body of the radial arm 525.

In an embodiment, stator mount assembly 514 additionally includes theintegrated mounting member 518, which is designed to couple to andstructurally support the stator mount 516 on one side and integrallysupport the ring gear 530 on the other side. In an embodiment,integrated mounting member 518 is a molded structure formed around thestator mount 516.

In an embodiment, the integrated mounting member 518 includes a radialmember 532 that radially occupies spaces between the arms 525 of thestator mount 516 and together with the arms 525 forms a radialpartitioning wall separating the stator mount 516 from the transmissionassembly 86. An annular portion 531 of the integrated mounting member518 extending rearward from the radial member 532 includes a firstseries of peripheral openings 536 through which the outer protrusions526 of the radial arms 525 are radially received.

In an embodiment, the integrated mounting member 518 further includesthe ring gear mount 534 having a generally cylindrical peripheral bodyfor supporting the ring gear 530. The ring gear 530, which isconventionally provided in the transmission assembly separately from themotor, is incorporated into the integrated mounting member 518 andsupported within the ring gear mount 534 adjacent the stator mount 516opposite the radial partitioning wall. The ring gear mount 534 includesa series of second openings 538 that receive outer tabs 540 of the ringgear 530 to rotationally secure the ring gear 530. The ring gear mount534 further includes inner rims 537 and 539 that engage axial ends ofthe ring gear 530. These features provide a structure whereby theintegrated mounting member 518 axially, radially and rotationallyconstrains and affixes the ring gear 530 and the stator mount 516relative to one another.

In an embodiment, the transmission assembly 86 includes a transmissionhousing 87 that is substantially cylindrical and extends integrally fromthe nosecone 81 with a rear end 574 thereof facing the motor 500. Theintegrated mounting member 518 is form-fittingly received within thetransmission housing 87 through rear end 574 thereof. A C-clip 552 isprovided to axially stop a front end of the ring gear mount 534. TheC-clip 552 positions the radial partitioning wall (formed by the radialmember 532 of the integrated mounting member 518 and the arms 525 of thestator mount 516) adjacent the cam carrier 22 of the transmissionassembly 86 and radially aligns the ring gear 530 with the planet gearsof the cam carrier 22. In an embodiment, the transmission housing 87includes an annular groove to securely receive the C-clip 552. Theintegrated mounting member 518 is further radially and axially securedto the transmission housing 87 of the transmission assembly 86 via anO-ring 550. In an embodiment, the integrated mounting member 518 andtransmission housing 87 are provided with corresponding annular groovesto receive the O-ring 550. In an embodiment, the O-ring 550 cooperateswith the integrated mounting member 518 to substantially seal thetransmission assembly 86.

In an embodiment, the rear end 574 includes a series of notches 572 thatreceive the outer protrusions 526 of the radial arms 525 of the statormount 516, thus rotationally affixing the stator mount assembly 514 tothe transmission assembly 86. Further, in an embodiment, once assembledinside the tool housing 82, a rear surface of the radial partitioningwall (i.e., the radial member 532 and the arms 525) rests against aradial wall 580 of the tool housing 82 to hold the ring gear mount 534against the C-clip and thus axially secure the stator mount assembly 514to the transmission assembly 86. These features cooperate to constrainand affix the stator mount assembly 514 relative to the transmissionassembly 86 and the tool housing 82 in axial, radial and rotationaldirections.

In an embodiment, an outer race of the cam carrier bearing 32 of thetransmission assembly 86 is received and supported within the annularbody 524 of the stator mount 526. Accordingly, the cam carrier bearing32 is piloted to and supported by the stator mount assembly 514. In anembodiment, both the ring gear 530 and the cam carrier bearing 32 may bepre-assembled into the stator mount assembly 514 prior to assembly ofthe transmission assembly 86 and the motor 500 within the power tool 80.

In an embodiment, integration of the ring gear 530 and the cam carrierbearing 32 into the stator mount assembly 514 provides a structure inwhich features required to structurally support the stator mount 516 areintegrated radially outwardly of the ring gear 530 and the cam carrierbearing 32, thus reducing the axial length of the power tool.

In an embodiment, a distance L4 between a front of the motor 500, inthis example defined by the forwardmost part of the windings (not shown)and/or the frontmost part of the positional sensor board 226, to therear of the cam carrier 22, is smaller than or equal to approximately7.7 mm, preferably smaller than or equal to approximately 7.2 mm. Thus,where the motor performance, diameter and length are the same as motor200 described above, this arrangement allows the total length of thetool to be reduced by approximately an additional 4.1 mm, preferably toa total length smaller than or equal to approximately 115.8 mm, evenmore preferably smaller than or equal to approximately 114.6 mm.

A further and/or alternative embodiment of the invention is describedwith reference to FIGS. 23-25 .

FIG. 23 depicts a perspective view of an outer-rotor BLDC motor 600,according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 24 depicts apartially exploded view of the outer-rotor BLDC motor 600, according toan embodiment. FIG. 25 depicts a partially cross-sectional view of thepower tool 90 including the outer-rotor BLDC motor 600 and thetransmission assembly 96, according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, power tool 90 includes many of the same features asthe above-described power tools, including but not limited to, a powertool housing 92 including two clamshells that come together to house themotor 600, and a nosecone 91 that houses an impact mechanism (notshown). Similarly, motor 600 includes many of the same features as themotor 500 described above. To the extent that these or other power toolcomponents include identical or similar features as described above, thesame reference numerals are used.

In this embodiment, like the previous embodiment, motor 600 includes astator mount assembly 614 that integrally structurally supports the ringgear 530 and the stator mount 516. Like the previous embodiment, thestator mount assembly 614 includes an integrated mounting member 618that is coupled to the stator mount 516 on one side and includes aradial member 532 formed in contact with the stator mount 516. Also, thestator mount assembly 614 includes a ring gear mount for supporting thering gear 530. The rotor assembly 240, positional sensor board 226,stator mount 516, and ring gear 530, among other features, remainsubstantially unchanged.

In this embodiment, however, the portion of the integrated mountingmember 618 that forms the ring gear mount is elongated and forms atransmission housing 670 of the transmission assembly 96 that has asubstantially cylindrical body and houses various transmissioncomponents such as the carrier, the transmission spring 41, and the camshaft 39. Thus, unlike the previous embodiment, the housing of thetransmission assembly 96 is not formed as a part of the nosecone 91.Rather, the transmission housing 670 is integrally incorporated as apart of the stator mount assembly 614. Integration of the transmissionhousing 670 into the stator mount assembly 614 reduces necessarycomponents and provides a more robust and easier to manufacture design.Details of the integrated mounting member 618 are discussed below.

In an embodiment, the integrated mounting member 618 includes a moldedstructure formed around the stator mount 516 to radially, rotationally,and axially support the stator mount 516. The integrated mounting member618 includes many of the retention and support features described above,including the radial member 532 and openings 536, details of which arenot repeated here. The molded structure further includes inner rims 537and 539 that engage axial ends of the ring gear 530 to form the ringgear mount within the transmission housing 670 adjacent the radialmember 532. The molded structure is formed in engagement with the outertabs 540 of the ring gear 530 to rotationally, as well as axially andradially, support the ring gear 530.

In an embodiment, the length of the transmission housing 670 is greaterthan a length of the motor 240. In an embodiment, a front portion 671 ofthe transmission housing 670 extends beyond a front end of the toolhousing 92 and a front end of the cam carrier 22. The front portion 671is at least partially received within the nosecone 91. In an embodiment,an O-ring 573 is disposed between the front portion 671 of thetransmission housing 670 and the nosecone 91 to substantially seal thetransmission assembly 96.

In an embodiment, the front portion 671 includes outer protrusions 676having rounded outer edges. When fully assembled, the rounded edges ofthe outer protrusions 676 (similar to outer projections 476 describedpreviously) engage the annular rims formed around threaded openings ofthe tool housing 92 to rotational lock the transmission assembly 96relative to the tool housing 92.

The above-described arrangement provides a structure whereby, like theprevious embodiments, the stator assembly 210 is fully supported only onone side of the motor 600 by the transmission assembly 96. However,unlike the previous embodiments, where the transmission assembly 96 isprovided separately from the motor and as an integral part of thenosecone, in this embodiment, the transmission housing 670 is integrallyincorporated into the integrated mounting member 618 and is thereforepre-assembled with the motor 600 prior to the full assembly into thepower tool 90. This arrangement provides a highly robust and reliablestructure that is easy and efficient to manufacture.

Various aspects and embodiments of the rotor assembly 240 are describedherein with reference to FIGS. 26-34 .

FIG. 26 depicts an exploded perspective view of the rotor assembly 240,according to an embodiment. FIG. 27 depicts a side cross-sectional viewof the rotor assembly 240, according to an embodiment. FIG. 28 depicts apartial perspective view of the rotor assembly 240, according to anembodiment.

As shown in these figures, permanent magnets 244, of which ten areprovided in this example, are secured to the rotor core 242 via theovermold structure 245. In an embodiment, the permanent magnets 244 aremounted to the inner surface of the rotor core 242 and secured via aninjection-molding or over-molding process to form the overmold structure245. In an embodiment, the rotor core 242 includes a series of axiallyprojecting teeth 243. The overmold structure 245 is formed around theteeth 243 along with the rest of the rotor core 242, ensuring that therotor core 242 is rotationally fixed relative to the overmold structure245. The teeth 243 also allow the molding machine to secure the rotorcore 242 during the molding process. As such, overmold structure 245,when viewed in isolation, includes end slots 252 that contain the teeth243 of the rotor core 242, and inner magnet grooves 254 that capture thepermanent magnets 244. In an embodiment, permanent magnets 244 includechamfers that, when engaged by the overmold structure 245, retain thepermanent magnets 244 against the inner surface of the rotor core 242.

FIG. 29 depict a perspective view of a rotor core 241, according to analternative and/or additional embodiment of the invention. FIG. 30depicts a coil-shape continuous wire rod 249 used to form the rotor core241, according to an embodiment. FIG. 31 depicts an exploded view of therotor assembly 240 utilizing the rotor core 241, according to anembodiment.

In this embodiment, the rotor core 241, which is the flux ring to whichthe magnets are mounted, is made of the coil-shaped continuous wire rod249. The wire rod 249 may be wound around a tubular body to form thecoil-shaped pattern, then welded to form a solid flux ring body.Additionally, and/or alternatively, the wire rod 249 may be compressedand held together via the overmold structure 245. The wire rod 249 isless expensive than a seamless tube.

FIG. 32 depicts a perspective view of the rotor assembly 240, accordingto a further and/or alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, therotor core is not formed separately from the overmold structure. Rather,the rotor assembly 240 includes a rotor core 247 formed using a metalinjection molding (MIM) process. In this process, finely-powdered metalis mixed with a binding material and molded to the desired shape of therotor core 247. In an embodiment, the rotor core 247 is formed aroundthe magnets 244 during the MIM process. The molded magnet core 247increases the magnetic flux of the rotor assembly 240 similarly to aconventional rotor core made of a flux ring, but it is easier and lessexpensive to manufacture with a high dimensional accuracy.

FIG. 33 depicts a perspective view of a rotor core 700 for use in therotor assembly 240, according to a further and/or alternativeembodiment. FIG. 34 depicts an explode view of the rotor core 700,according to an embodiment.

In this embodiment, the rotor core 700 comprises a metal portion 710 anda molded portion 720. The metal portion is made of stamped metal andincludes a cylindrical body 712, an inner cylindrical member 714 forsecurely receiving a rotor shaft (not shown), and a series of firstradial arms 716 integrally attached and extending radially between thecylindrical body 712 and the inner cylindrical member 714. The moldedportion 720 is formed from resin or epoxy material via an insert-moldingor injection-molding process around the metal portion 710. The moldedportion 720 includes a radial plate 722 having a first center openingand located along a first radial plane, and a series of second radialarms 726 that are attached to the radial plate 722 via a series of axialpins 724 and are formed along a second radial plane. When the moldingprocess is completed, the radial plate 722 is located in contact withrear surfaces of the first radial arms 716, and the second radial arms726 are located in contact with front surfaces of the first radial arms716. In an embodiment, the first radial arms 716 may include a series ofthrough-holes (not shown) through which the axial pins 714 extendbetween the radial plate 722 and the second radial arms 726. It isnoted, however, that the mold structure may wrap around the first radialarms 716 to connect the radial plate 722 to the second radial arms 726.In an embodiment, the second radial arms 726 extend radially from acenter ring 728 that is formed around the inner cylindrical member 714.In an embodiment, the second radial arms 726 may be formed in themolding process in any desired fan blade contour designed to cooperatewith the first radial arms 716 to optimize airflow generation.

FIG. 35 depicts a perspective exploded view of the stator assembly 210and the positional sensor board 226, according to an embodiment. FIG. 36depicts a partial perspective view of the motor 600 including thepositional sensor board 226, according to an embodiment. In anembodiment, stator core 212 includes a center annular body 750 and aseries of outwardly projecting teeth 752. Stator windings (not shown)are wound around the stator teeth 752. In an embodiment, a moldedinsulating body 760 formed around the stator core 212 to electricallyinsulate the stator teeth 752 from the windings. The insulating body 760substantially covers both end surfaces of the stator core 212 and theinner surfaces of the stator teeth 752. In an embodiment, the insulatingbody 760 further includes a series of first axial posts 762 that supportthe positional sensor board 226 at a set distance relative to the statorcore 212. In an embodiment, the insulating body 760 further includes aseries of second axial posts 764 that support motor terminals 766. In anembodiment, there are three second axial posts 764 are provided tosupport three motor terminals 766. The three second axial posts 764 arealigned with three adjacent ones of the stator teeth 752.

FIG. 37 depicts a zoomed-in view of one of the second axial posts 764and a corresponding motor terminal 766, according to an embodiment. Inan embodiment, each terminal 766 includes a substantially planar bodyand a rear tab 768. The insulating body 760 is molded to securelycapture the rear tab 768 within the second axial post 764.

In an embodiment, referring again to FIGS. 35 and 36 , the positionalsensor board 226 is substantially C-shaped with an outer diameter thatis slightly greater than the outer diameter of the stator core 212 andan inner diameter than is greater than the diameter of the centerannular body 750. A series of positional sensors 770 are mounted on thepositional sensor board 226 to sense a magnetic flux of the rotor. Thepositional sensor board 226 includes a series of openings 772 thatreceive the first axial posts 762 to secure the positional sensor board226 to the insulating body 760. Further, the ends of the positionalsensor board 226 define a gap 774 that is aligned with the motorterminals 762. In an embodiment, the gap 774 extends an angular distanceof approximately 40 to 50 degrees. This structure allows motor terminals766 to be received within the gap 774 and therefore be orientatedradially in-line with the positional sensor board 226.

Example embodiments have been provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and to fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in theart. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Terms of degree such as “generally,” “substantially,” “approximately,”and “about” may be used herein when describing the relative positions,sizes, dimensions, or values of various elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections. These terms mean that such relative positions,sizes, dimensions, or values are within the defined range or comparison(e.g., equal or close to equal) with sufficient precision as would beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the context of thevarious elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections beingdescribed.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

1. A power tool comprising: a tool housing; a brushless direct-current(BLDC) motor disposed in the tool housing, the motor comprising: astator including a stator core having an aperture extending therethroughand a plurality of stator windings, a rotor including a cylindricalrotor core supporting at least one permanent magnet around an outersurface of the stator core, a rotor shaft rotatably coupled to therotor, and a stator mount including a radial member disposed proximate afront end of the stator and an axial member secured to the stator; and atransmission secured to the tool housing and including an input membercoupled to and configured to be rotatably driven by rotation of therotor shaft, and an output member configured to be driven by rotation ofthe input member, wherein the radial member of the stator mount issecured to the transmission to support the stator at least radiallywithin the rotor.
 2. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the rotorcomprises a rear wall proximate a rear end of the stator that is mountedon the rotor shaft, the rotor shaft extending through the aperture ofthe stator to be coupled to the input member of the transmission.
 3. Thepower tool of claim 2, wherein the axial member of the stator mountcomprises a cylindrical portion onto which the stator core is securelymounted, wherein the rotor shaft extends through the cylindricalportion.
 4. The power tool of claim 3, further comprising at least onemotor bearing having an inner race mounted on the rotor shaft and anouter race secured within the cylindrical portion.
 5. The power tool ofclaim 1, wherein the tool housing comprises a radial wall projectingradially between the motor and the transmission assembly and engaging arear surface of the radial member of the stator mount to axially holdthe radial member in engagement with the transmission assembly.
 6. Thepower tool of claim 1, wherein the transmission comprises a transmissionhousing having a generally cylindrical body, and a planetary gear setincluding a pinion or a sun gear rotatably driven by the rotor shaft, acarrier, at least one planet gear rotatably mounted to the carrier andmeshed with the pinion or the sun gear, and a ring gear supported by thetransmission housing and meshed with the at least one planet gear. 7.The power tool of claim 6, wherein the transmission comprises a rearwall located at a rear end of the transmission housing, wherein theradial member of the stator mount is at least radially secured to therear wall.
 8. The power tool of claim 7, wherein the rear wall of thetransmission includes a recessed surface formed by an annular peripheralbody sized to form-fittingly receive the radial member of the statormount therein.
 9. The power tool of claim 7, wherein the radial memberof the stator mount is rotationally secured to the rear wall of thetransmission via at least one notch and indentation arrangement.
 10. Thepower tool of claim 7, further comprising a carrier bearing configuredto support the carrier relative to the rear wall of the transmission,wherein the rear wall of the transmission includes an annular centerbody forming a bearing holder for the carrier bearing, and wherein theradial member of the stator mount includes an intermediary cylindricalportion forming a center recessed portion that receives the annularcenter body.
 11. The power tool of claim 10, wherein a radial plane ofthe radial member of the stator mount intersects a portion of thecarrier bearing.
 12. The power tool of claim 7, wherein the rear wall ofthe transmission includes an annular body projecting towards the motor,further comprising a lock ring configured to axially hold the radialmember of the stator mount in engagement with a rear surface of theannular body.
 13. The power tool of claim 12, wherein the lock ringincludes a main portion having a threaded inner surface that is fastenedonto a threaded outer surface of the annular body of the transmission,and a radial portion that engages and forces a rear surface of theradial member of the stator mount against the annular body of thetransmission.
 14. The power tool of claim 1, wherein a rear end of thetransmission housing defines an opening through which the ring gear isreceived, and the radial member of the stator mount comprises aplurality of tabs extending therefrom that engage the transmissionhousing to secure the stator mount at least radially to thetransmission.
 15. The power tool of claim 14, wherein an interior of thetransmission housing includes a plurality of recessed surfaces near therear end, and the plurality of tabs of the radial member extend axiallythrough the opening in engagement with the plurality of recessedsurfaces to affix the stator mount at least radially to the rear end ofthe transmission.
 16. The power tool of claim 14, wherein the rear endof the transmission housing includes a plurality of notches, and theplurality of tabs of the radial member extend radially in engagementwith the plurality of notches to affix the stator mount at leastrotationally to the rear end of the transmission.
 17. The power tool ofclaim 14, wherein the radial member of the stator mount and thetransmission housing mated together cooperate to substantially seal thetransmission.
 18. The power tool of claim 14, wherein the transmissionincludes a plurality of outer protrusions on the outer surface of thetransmission housing configured to engage a portion of the tool housingto rotationally fix the transmission.
 19. The power tool of claim 1,wherein a distance between a front end of the motor and a rear end ofthe transmission is at most 11.3 mm.
 20. The power tool of claim 19,wherein the motor has an outer diameter than is smaller than or equal toapproximately 52 mm and produces a maximum power output of at least 620watts from a 20V max power tool battery pack.